Sosa's Double-A OK

June 14, 2004

Cubs right fielder Sammy Sosa began his comeback from a strained back with the team's Double-A affiliate, the West Tenn. Diamond Jaxx, by driving in the game's first run before a rain delay hastened his departure.

Sosa went 1-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout against Birmingham Barons left-hander Ryan Meaux. The Diamond Jaxx took their 1-0 Sosa-given lead and turned it into a 2-1 victory over the Barons, Double-A affiliate of the White Sox.

Sosa, who led off as the Diamond Jaxx's designated hitter and singled off the center-field wall, wasn't sure what to expect from Double-A pitching but pronounced himself satisfied with the exercise.

SHOWDOWN: The Cubs begin a four-game series in Houston on Monday with a classic matchup of Old School vs. Cool School. In the third start of his comeback from Achilles' tendinitis, Mark Prior will face unbeaten Roger Clemens.

"If you start thinking about it, you can get wrapped up too much in the matchup versus what your job is," Prior said. "Fortunately, I don't have to worry about Roger except when I'm up to the plate, either trying to bunt or get on base or trying to throw extra pitches.

"It's going to be fun, and hopefully at the end of the year, it'll be nice to look back and say, 'Hey, I got a chance to pitch against one of the best.'"

TRIMMED: Angels starter Ramon Ortiz gave haircuts to teammate and former White Sox pitcher Bartolo Colon and Angels third baseman coach Ron Roenicke before the game.